RESEARCH PARADIGM &
APPROACH
Mohamad Noorman Masrek
Contents
RESEARCH PARADIGM AND APPROACH
– Research Paradigm
– Research Methodology
– Induction & Deduction Research
Research Paradigm: An Overview
A paradigm is a set of assumptions and
perceptual orientations shared by members of
a research community.
Paradigms determine how members of
research communities view the phenomena
and the research methodology used to study
the phenomena.
Research Paradigm: An Overview
A paradigm is the combination of the following
premises:
1. Epistemology
2. Ontology
3. Methodology
Research Paradigm: Epistemology
Epistemology: concerns assumptions about
knowledge, what constitutes acceptable, valid
and legitimate knowledge, and how we can
communicate knowledge to others.
Research Paradigm: Ontology
Ontology refers to “the nature of our beliefs about
reality” . Researchers have assumptions (sometimes
implicit) about reality, how it exists and what can be
known about it.
1. Objectivism – researchers come in as objective
observers to study phenomena that exist independently
of them and they do not affect or disturb what is being
observed.
2. Subjectivism – researchers are inextricably part of the
social reality being researched
Research Paradigm: Methodology
Methodology is an articulated, theoretically
informed approach to the production of data
and guides the researcher in deciding what
type of data is required for a study.
1. Qualitative methodology
2. Quantitative methodology
3. Mixed Methodology
Research Paradigm: Methodology
Qualitative research relies on methods based on
multiple meanings of individual experiences, meanings
socially and historically constructed, and with the intent
of developing a theory or pattern.
Quantitative research relies on methods based on
cause and effect thinking, reduction to specific
variables and hypotheses and questions, use of
measurement and observation, and the test of theories.
Research Paradigm: Methodology
Mixed methods research relies on both quantitative
and qualitative methods that are “consequence-
oriented, problem-centered, and pluralistic” (Creswell,
2003, p. 18).
Inductive vs Deductive
Inductive Research - a study in which theory is,
“developed from the observation of empirical reality;
thus general inferences are induced from particular
instances, which is the reverse of the deductive
method since it involves moving from individual
observation to statements of general patterns or laws”
Deductive research - as a study in which a conceptual
and theoretical structure is developed which is then
tested by empirical observation
Inductive vs Deductive
Three Research Paradigm
1. Interpretivism
2. Positivism
3. Pragmatism
Three Research Paradigm
Interpretivism paradigm is based on the
assumption that social reality is not singular or
objective, but is rather shaped by human
experiences and social contexts (ontology),
and is therefore best studied within its socio-
historic context by reconciling the subjective
interpretations of its various participants
(epistemology).
Three Research Paradigm
Because interpretive researchers view social
reality as being embedded within and
impossible to abstract from their social
settings, they “interpret” the reality though a
“sense-making” process rather than a
hypothesis testing process.
Three Research Paradigm
Positivism paradigm is aligned with the
hypothetico-deductive model of science that
builds on verifying a priori hypotheses and
experimentation by operationalizing variables and
measures; results from hypothesis testing are
used to inform and advance science. regard,
generalizable inferences, replication of findings,
and controlled experimentation have been
principles guiding positivist science.
Three Research Paradigm
Studies aligned with positivism generally focus
on identifying explanatory associations or
causal relationships through quantitative
approaches, where empirically based findings
from large sample sizes are favored-in this
regard, generalizable inferences, replication of
findings, and controlled experimentation have
been principles guiding positivist science.
Three Research Paradigm
Pragmatism paradigm offers an experience-
based, action-oriented framework whereby the
purpose of research is to help address the
issues of dealing with how people experience
and come to know the world in a practical
sense.
Three Research Paradigm
The focus of pragmatism is on the human
capacity to learn, reason, and make choices in
our environments; to respond to, and interact
with, our environments; and to adapt to it,
modify it, and shape it in various ways. These
are constant, dynamic, and ongoing processes
Three Research Paradigm
Paradigm Ontology Methodology Strategy
Interpretivs Subjectivism Qualitative Inductive
m
Positivism Objectivism Quantitative Deductive
Pragmatism Subjectivism Mixed Inductive/Dedu
/ Objectivism Method ctive
Three Research Paradigm
Interpretivism vs Positivism
Research Paradigm vs Methods
Interpretivism Positivism Pragmatism
• Narrative • Survey • Action
• Grounded • Pure (True) Research
Theory Experiment • Delphi
• Phenomenology • Quasi Technique
• Ethnography Experiment
• Case Study
Learning Activity
Besides the three paradigm discussed above,
identify other paradigms and briefly explained
their premises in terms of epistemology,
ontology and methodology.
The End
